Annual School Theme
Connected with Christ
Mary, Seat of Wisdom seeks to give students practical ways to integrate the gospel message of Christ into their everyday lives. As such, a faculty Catholic identity planning committee creates a yearly school theme and designs in-school activities to reinforce its meaning throughout the year. In the past, school themes have been inspired by such texts as Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical on Love, the social teachings of the Catholic Church, and gospel values. Last year, our parish focused on the ideas present in the Ronald Rolheiser book Secularity and the Gospel. This year, in dialoging with our Pastor, Father Gunderson, the Religion Curriculum Team discussed the role of the Catholic Church in the modern world. In Gaudium et Spes: The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Joy and Hope), from the bishops of the 2nd Vatican Council, the basic premise is that the Church and the World are mutually related. In the spirit of this document, our All-School theme will focus on the interconnectedness of Christ to ourselves, of Christ to our Parish community, and of Christ to the world-at-large.
During trimester one, we will explore how Christ is alive within us. We will deepen that relationship through prayer, meditation and activities. In the second trimester, we will use the energy of Christ within us to actively engage in Parish Community Life. Finally, in the third trimester, we will further share Christ by reaching out to the world.
Throughout the three trimesters, the Catholic Social Teachings will be woven into monthly discussion and activities. These are:
1. Each person is sacred.
2. Each person is social.
3. We take care of the poor and vulnerable.
4. Solidarity is our call: we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.
5. Workers have rights; work has dignity.
6. All people have rights and responsibilities.
7. We care for creation.
This year our class visual will be a cross representing Christ in our lives. Each trimester a “Christ Connection” puzzle piece will be added to the cross Advent and Lenten pieces (focusing on Christ as our Joy and Hope) will complete the Cross.